The Saltmarsh

Dark Clouds are gathering over the sea, and shadows now race across the mudflats. What use to me now is fitful moonlight I pray to the gods, for I am in fear What the sand seizes, it never lets go Oh Matrones I need to see my way Sea birds call, Calling from the marshes. But are they birds or maybe sprites? I am the father of the chosen child This is our holy place. As it was for those who came before. A threshold betwixt both Sky and Land Liminal A threshold between the land and sea. And between life and death. This is our sacred place I am the father of the chosen child She has eaten the mistletoe Here we built our Henge To worship those we must. Who knows what they who came before did worship. And from the Henge we built our crossing place, A causeway along the lines of power. Dark Clouds have gathered o’er the sea, and shadows race across the mud. What the sand seizes, it never lets go I pray to the gods, I am in fear I can hear their priestly chanting ‘Oh great God Taranis, We offer this life to you’ With one sharp cry She gives her life So that the world will carry on This does not help my pain I have lost my first borne Oh Great earth mother, wife to Taranis Take my child and bless her and save her soul Something in us fears what’s buried, What we cannot see. But we honour this the winter solstice, With sacrifice. To Taranis sky king To Esus earth king To Matrones wife to both In the centre of the Henge, The holy of holies, The chosen Child. This blessed child The saviour of our world Through her the cycle will renew Dance round her grave Widdershins Lift our voices In joyful song Great Gods the clouds have lifted The new day has dawned Her sacrifice was not in vain